Trustees wager pizza on high school hockey game

The respective Orléans school trustees from the Catholic and public boards have placed a bet on the outcome of the 3 p.m. game at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans on Thursday, Feb. 4, with the loser providing a pizza lunch to the winning school’s team.

“As we approach the Olympics, John and I thought it was important to talk about friendly and positive competition in the same light that the Olympics bring,” explains Stephen Blais, a St. Peter grad himself.

But it’s not only fun and games. Pride plays a part in the bet, and neither trustee wants to wear the opposing team’s jersey while serving pizza – another condition of the bet.

“It’s a friendly rivalry,” Shea notes. “But at the commencement ceremony each year, there’s usually a little clip of Sir Wil beating St. Pete’s and it always draws quite a few cheers from the graduating class.”

Shea’s Lancers have to be considered the underdogs in the game, going up against the defending city champion Knights, who beat them 10-1 earlier this season.

“I have every confidence in them,” says Shea, who can’t be dissuaded. “I think that Sir Wil has better spirit than St. Pete’s and that’ll carry them to win the game.”

Spirit is really what it’s all about, Blais agrees, and having successful sports teams – an attribute both schools possess – does just that.

“It fosters a sense of community spirit and pride in the school,” Blais notes. “That’s important to creating the kind of environment we all hope our kids can learn in.”